The end of my journey

I waved goodbye to Sydney on Friday with huge sadness. I've such an amazing time there and I really didn't want it to end. But end it must. I arrived back at Heathrow airport in the early hours of Easter Saturday morning, seven months after I left.

What a journey it's been - emotionally, physically and mentally. I have learnt and experienced so much. It has been life-changing.

I've been reading Elizabeth Gilbert's novel 'Eat, Pray, Love'. It seemed pretty pertinent and got me wondering how I'd sum up my journey. I think it may be 'Teach, Learn, Live'. I've gone from teaching in Cambodia, to learning about myself and my limits and then rediscovering the joy in relaxing and enjoying life.

Friends who have known me for years have commented on my happy, relaxed demeanour. Others have said that I look ten years younger than I did a year ago. I certainly feel it. It's fantastic.

Whilst I'm incredibly sad to end this trip, I end it feeling happy and positive. I head back to family and friends in the UK with a renewed outlook on life.

This really isn't the end of my journey. It's just the end of this chapter. A whole new chapter of my life lies ahead and I plan to grab it with both hands!

Craving beauty treats

My money's getting tighter now (extending my stay would do that I suppose) so I'm having to make compromises. I looked in my wash bag the other day and suddenly had a hankering for my old life. I'm just about hanging on to my Estee Lauder Eight Hour Face Moisturiser but its days are numbered. Nestling next to it is a no-brand body cream, travel size shampoo and conditioner swiped from my last stay in a decent hotel and a razor that really couldn't be considered a threat if I took it on a plane in my hand luggage.

I remember the days when I chose from a veritable array of creams, lotions, serums, oils, fragrances and scrubs. I could match my beauty regime to my mood. My bathroom cabinet and drawers groaned with the weight of all my products promising to make my skin and hair look and feel so much better. What a difference a few months makes.

Back in South East Asia, I could treat myself to the occasional pampering session. When a pedicure costs a mere couple of dollars why wouldn't you? The other day somebody likened my feet to a hobbit's (you know who you are!). I thought my ingenious use of sand as an exfoliator coupled with a slick of red nail polish to distract attention was a pretty good solution. Apparently not - I need to send in the DIY SOS team.

Much as I complained about my waxing experience in Vietnam, I'd head back there like a shot. Now I use a rusting razor and some hair removal cream that was on special in Priceline. How the mighty have fallen!

I remember when my hair was sleek, shiny and straightened. Now it dries au naturel and I do by best with a few kirby grips and my new line in hairbands.

Would I change it? Of course I would! I'd love to be pampered within an inch of my life and to smother myself in luxurious body creams on a daily basis. But if adopting a low maintenance lifestyle for a while means that I can stay in Australia for longer, I'll make the sacrifice. Pass me the Aldi body lotion...

Reflections on my journey

I've been a bit reflective of late. That might be because I've spent a lot of time on plane, bus and train journeys looking into space. It might just be that time of year with seasons changing. It might also be because I'm nearing the end of this journey. What an amazing journey it's been too - and it's not over yet.

This time last year I was miserable. I wasn't just a bit down, I was absolutely bloody miserable. A series of bad events had worn me down. I look back on it as if I was a different person. In a way, I was. I feel so far away from that person now (quite literally). I haven't felt this happy, healthy or positive in years. Thank you open road!

I did the difficult bit of travelling first - Cambodia. That was such a culture shock, but a brilliant experience. Alongside my memories of being filthy, sweaty and totally out of my comfort zone, are the memories of laughing until my belly hurt, making fantastic new friendships and reaping the rewards of teaching the kids. Vietnam was a test of flying solo. I learnt a lot about myself then. I've certainly tapped into my inner strength on this trip and I've discovered how much you can gain from pushing yourself a bit.

Australia has been a massive learning curve too, but it certainly hasn't been hard work. I feel like I'm sitting back and reaping the rewards now. Life here is so much easier. I feel relaxed, happy and so much more confident. I've met so many different people with interesting tales. It's really opened my mind.

I put a lot of this positivity down to the new love in my life - Sydney! Is it just a fling or is it a longer term relationship? That remains to be seen. All I know is that I've discovered something great here and my journey isn't over yet thankfully.

Next stop New Zealand

I didn't want to come here. I've nothing against New Zealand. I've visited before and liked it. I've heard great things about it. I've got good Kiwi friends. Still, I didn't want to come here.

Coming to New Zealand meant leaving Australia and, as I've mentioned once or twice before, I rather like it there. It's felt like home to me over the past few months. However, I boarded the plane from Sydney to Auckland reluctantly and here I am in the North Island of New Zealand.

Time to eat my words! I've actually really enjoyed my travels here. Everyone told me it would be cold. I had jumpers sent over from the UK in preparation. It's been hot and sunny here every day of my trip. The sun actually feels more intense than in Sydney. That'll be a lack of ozone for you. Still, it makes me happy!

I've been travelling around on the Magic Bus which has been a great way to meet people and see a lot of the country in your own time as you can hop on and off as you please. I'm only here for 10 days, so my pace is pretty fast.

I've been to Auckland, Thames, Rotorua, Waitomo, Taupo, Napier, Tauranga, Mount Mounganui (wasn't he in Karate Kid?), Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga, and we've stopped at various waterfalls, lakes, Lord of the Rings icons and random sights along the way. It really is a beautiful country with green, rolling hills, stunning natural landscapes, loads of sheep, cows and not many people. Maybe that's because all the Kiwis are in London...

Nearly all the people I've met have been British though. Mix in a smattering of Canadians, Irish, Aussies and Germans and you have a typical bus crew. Us Brits had a fun time trying to teach the Kiwi bus driver how to speak 'properly'. He seemed to get his vowels confused! I tried to explain that "Puppa [that's me], try some Noo Zillund fush and chups" just isn't right. Funnily enough, I got some choice Kiwi words in response.

It's been fun, but I have to wave goodbye to the land of the long white cloud and return to Sydney to see what will happen next on my journey. Watch this space...

Quick trip to Queensland

One luxury of being on a long trip like this is the freedom to be flexible with time. So when my good friend Michelle invited me to stay with her near Brisbane, I said 'yes' even though I hadn't planned to travel up the east coast.

I've visited Michelle a couple of times before but she has a new house now. A new house in the country that is. A new house in the country with five acres of land. A new house with two cows on her acres of land (they keep the grass short apparently). It's a far cry from her flat in Harlesden I can tell you!

I had a rather lovely relaxing week. It was around 35 degrees and 75% humidity when I got there. I haven't been that hot and sweaty since Cambodia. But then the rain came.

Unfortunately the rain came just as we took a girly trip to the coast - Byron Bay. Just my British luck! While the locals celebrated the first rain they'd had in months, I felt reminiscent of wet childhood holidays in Devon. Instead of surfing, we shopped. Instead of lying on the beach, we ate and drank. Instead of going on a hike, I had a massage... Ok, it wasn't all bad. It was actually rather lovely.

It's about seizing the moment and being flexible enough to do what works at the time. It's just part of the learning experience.